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California Undercard Features a Battle Between Rising Stars

By

Stu Woo

Updated Oct. 27, 2010 8:14 p.m. ET

SAN FRANCISCO—If the race for governor between Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown is the marquee blockbuster of California's campaign season, the lieutenant governor's contest could be a preview of coming attractions.

The match-up features a pair of rising stars: San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, and Republican Abel Maldonado, the appointed lieutenant governor who hopes to win the job in his own right. The victor "will become an instant contender for governor when the office is open in four to eight years,"...